Cobb school honored for anti-bullying efforts

Middle school bullies beware: one Cobb school is “No place to hate.”

Monday afternoon, Palmer Middle was honored for its efforts to eliminate prejudice. Anti-Defamation League executive director Bill Nigut presented the school with a huge banner at an assembly.

“We’re trying to decide where we can display it,” said principal Gerri Ray. The school cafeteria or a main hallway are likely candidates.

Palmer is the first school in Cobb to be recognized for its anti-bullying efforts, which have been a theme since the Kennesaw school opened eight years ago.

“It is important to us that we try to instill into our children that it’s OK to be different,” Ray said. “We don’t have to make a big fuss about our differences. We accept those and try to learn more about those differences.”

Teaching respect to students has helped with discipline issues during the typically difficult middle-school years.

“We have fewer discipline issues at our school because we have emphasized this for long,” said Ray.

Activities are planned every day through Friday as part of the school’s annual Bully Prevention Week.